Upgrade License DSS to DSS V6?

[nleyendecker]

I won't argue with your logic, but in an apples-to-apples comparison this isn't like going from 2003 to 2008, the feature list upgrade for those product is hundreds of items deep.

Neal Leyendecker

[Robotbeat]

Todd, the difference between dss and windows server is that the customer has some idea of when the End of Life (EOL) of the product is. Same for Linux distros or Firefox. The different linux kernels don't stop all maintenance releases once a new major kernel version is released. They keep providing maintenance and security updates for years afterwards. With Open-E, we have no idea what the EOL is. It could be a month, it could be two or three years. There needs to be some sort of release plan, some sort of contract with the customers.

Speaking of comparing to Windows: What if I buy a system with Windows Vista on it two weeks before Windows 7 comes out? I get a free upgrade voucher. There needs to be some framework, some level of trust between Open-E and the customer. Sure, we can whine to you, Todd, until you give us a free upgrade, but that's not how to build a successful, international business.

[To-M]

We have done much research on this and can argue the same. Many will just say that all sw manufactures should give their products for free for the life of the company not the life of the product and then it will end for the updates and so on. Anyway, your message is being viewed by many in the company and we thank you for your opinions. Please send any comments to info@open-e.com and let's use the forum for more technical needs to help others.

[To-M]

I agree that we should post the EOL on our products - this is being processed as we speak to put in place with management.

We can kick this around to no end and I wish MS gave me that voucher back when I got my system but they did not . Anyway we can argue to no end in sight and I would like for all to please send your comments to info@open-e.com so we can review them.

[1parkplace]

I understand the perspective from both sides here. However, in previous experiences with non-mainstream developers, usually it's like, "If you purchased the product after 04/01/2009, you are entitled to a free upgrade."

I understand this can be a loss of revenue for you guys, but at the same time, there are people like me out there that two weeks after buying the product find out there is a new version about to be released and has no free upgrade path. When I first heard (during my installtion) about the Beta, I was excited to see the new features and improvements that have been in development for so long. However, I would have waited to move forward with my purchase would I have known there was a cost involved.

I think that moving forward having a posted and updated Product roadmap will help customers avoid these problem; however, I think Open-E corporate should consider coming to terms with current customers that purchased during a defined time-frame. At least maybe offer a discounted rate of upgrade.

Just a suggestion.

Drew

[jsinclair]

I will add my 2 cents as well...

While I agree with all sides, I also have to side with Todd on this one. If you want to disagree with me, contact IBM, EMC or NetApp and get quotes for features to add new items. I have just spent the last year fighting with IBM regarding our DS6800, which, costed over $250k for less than 2TB of storage 5 years ago. I want to add a a new 4gb fiber channel, or an additional tray of disks. The quote I got back was over $25k for additional shelf, plus the $10k software upgrade to use the additional TB (yes, 1TB).

While this isn't exactly apples to apples, I would look at this as a fair comparison. The features the Open-E provides at a fraction of the costs is unmeasurable. If everything was free, then IBM, EMC, and NetApp would just keep rising their prices and keep development at a stand still. If it wasn't for solutions like open-e, openfiler, freenas you probably wouldn't see the upcoming evolution of solid state, FCoE, or even 10Gb iSCSI. The big boys have to keep up...competition drives innovation...'nuff said.

[mihai]

yes, I use DSS v5 only for 63 days !!!

You said I need to buy v6 now ?!
Forget it!

I don't see why? A major update? Where is command line, webgui for setting users rights (ACL? your kidding...) and many other.
Yes, v6 give us a change in webgui, but I don't see (maybe just for me) a major improvment.
DSS is more like a NAS for newbie with a nice gui.

And for your bussines I think it was right to offer free upgrade for those who bought (like me) a product close to a "major" update!. Or simply warn us! I could wait, quietly...
I'm very dissapointed.

[To-M]

With the DSS V6 we will be able to provide new features that will only be available for DSS V6 like 16TB volumes replicated, new iSCSI Target "SCST", BackupExec, Thin provision, iSCSI backup functions, VTL and so many others that are not able to with DSS V5.

[rykerlee]

yes, I use DSS v5 only for 63 days !!!

You said I need to buy v6 now ?!
Forget it!

I don't see why? A major update? Where is command line, webgui for setting users rights (ACL? your kidding...) and many other.
Yes, v6 give us a change in webgui, but I don't see (maybe just for me) a major improvment.
DSS is more like a NAS for newbie with a nice gui.

And for your bussines I think it was right to offer free upgrade for those who bought (like me) a product close to a "major" update!. Or simply warn us! I could wait, quietly...
I'm very dissapointed.

Mihai I don’t think that is a far statement what you say. I have seen the posts that Todd has provided for all to test and the date when they where to release this. Did you test V6, we did on 2 Intel boxes and we had no problem with ADS and the ACL’s - they even have this in the GUI and in the manual for they use POSIX as stated in the manual – RTFM “Read the fr#$@ manual”.

We see what EMC, NetApp and others do that don’t warn us or give us a break in pricing, and let’s not forget what Mr. Microsoft will do to you as well.

If DSS is going to have like what Todd said for 16TB replications for volumes – then wow that is worth it!!

Do you know what the cost is for support for Openfiler for 16TB!! $1,800 in Euros PER NODE – meaning one system not 2!! Here is more good news for you that this is a yearly charge!! Wow now you pay more!! So we pay no support for DSS and it is a onetime charge for that version and the upgrade can’t be much more then the support cost. Not trying to kill you mihai but my god man when you look at what the costs are for the other competitors to what they are offering here it just sounds like a bunch of new engineers that just started in the industry.
We will be upgrading our DSS V5 to V6 ASAP!
Todd – Do you know what the cost is and when this will be available?